characterized by tenderness, compassion, and sympathy for people and animals, especially for the suffering or distressed:humane treatment of prisoners.
acting in a manner that causes the least harm to people or animals: humane trapping of stray pets.
of or relating to humanistic studies.
Origin of humane
First recorded in 1425–75; originally a variant of human, restricted to above senses from the 18th century; cf. germane, german
human body, human capital, human chorionic gonadotropin, human chorionic somatomammotropic hormone, human diploid cell rabies vaccine, humane, human ecology, human embryonic stem cell, human engineering, humane society, Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority
She also has taken a new approach to some nonviolent offenses that she said would not only be more humane, but would free resources for fighting violent crimes.
As Trump Calls for Law and Order, Can Chicago’s Top Prosecutor Beat the Charge That She’s Soft on Crime?|by Mick Dumke|September 4, 2020|ProPublica
Pandemic prevention aside, the use of this kind of vaccine could also provide more humane control of rabies, because culling bats is currently the go-to method of keeping the disease at bay in South America.
Can Vaccines for Wildlife Prevent Human Pandemics?|Rodrigo Pérez Ortega|August 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Despite all these efforts, questions remain as to whether biotech can ever dramatically reduce the industry’s emissions or afford humane treatment to captive animals in resource-intensive operations.
Biotechnology Could Change the Cattle Industry. Will It Succeed?|Dyllan Furness|August 16, 2020|Singularity Hub
“I want to see people unify, regardless of differences, to win a humane balance for these otherwise voiceless souls,” said Maitely Weismann, who formed the group.
No Visitors Leading to Despair and Isolation in Senior Care Homes|Jared Whitlock|July 28, 2020|Voice of San Diego
This solution is fair, it’s humane and most important, it will provide all schools with the funds they need to open safely in the fall.
New State Budget Will Do Irreparable Harm to Schools|Alec Patton|June 29, 2020|Voice of San Diego
That is why I believe that you feel the value of this ethical and humane togetherness.
Dear Turkish PM: It’s Time to Act to Save Kobani’s Kurds|Bahman Ghobani|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We have to be humane and we care about our patients but we are also not a prison,” the anonymous doctor said.
Inside a Hospital for the Criminally Insane|Caitlin Dickson|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is framed, rightly so, as a painful act done in the service of being as humane and respectful as possible.
Wendy Davis and the 'Good Abortion' Myth|Emily Shire|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Humane Society is under attack by a PR firm that advises the American Kennel Association.
The Sleazy War on the Humane Society|Center for Public Integrity|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She says the Humane Society would like to enforce spay and neuter laws to the point where there would be no purebred dogs left.
The Sleazy War on the Humane Society|Center for Public Integrity|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Scott was too kind, too humane, to disappoint us, the crowd of human beings who find much of our happiness in dreams.
Rob Roy, Volume 1., Illustrated|Sir Walter Scott
He spoke with peculiar asperity of Sprat, who had undoubtedly been the most humane and moderate member of the board.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
There are no conceivable ethical or religious interests and no humane goals or values that justify these things.
Preaching and Paganism|Albert Parker Fitch
It is shorn of the honors, both of a humane and patriotic enterprise, and merged in the responsibility of a political misdemeanor.
Abolition a Sedition|Geo. W. Donohue
I believe—nay, I know—that in general our officers and soldiers are humane.
The Art of Public Speaking|Dale Carnagey (AKA Dale Carnegie) and J. Berg Esenwein
British Dictionary definitions for humane
humane
/ (hjuːˈmeɪn) /
adjective
characterized by kindness, mercy, sympathy, etc
inflicting as little pain as possiblea humane killing
civilizing or liberal (esp in the phrases humane studies, humane education)